Standard Common Name

Alternative Name/s

It has also been called the New Guinea Wrasse and White-spotted Wrasse.

Identification

The Blacktail Wrasse is a small fish that can be recognised by its colouration. It is black with white spots and a yellow bar across the basal region of the caudal fin.

Size range

It grows to about 12 cm in length.

Distribution

This species occurs throughout the tropical Indo-West and Central Pacific.

In Australia it has been recorded from the offshore reefs of north-western Australia. The fish in the image however, was photographed in northern New South Wales. This is the first record of the species on the east coast of Australia.

The map below shows the Australian distribution of the species based on public sightings and specimens in Australian Museums. Click on the map for detailed information. Source: Atlas of Living Australia.